The Black Journalists Association of Southern California, the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, will host a community conversation to discuss the retiree, medical practitioner and employee aspects of the Affordable Care Act on Saturday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m.The event will take place at the 2nd AME Church, 5500 South Hoover Street in Los Angeles.Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.The event is free and all are welcome.

The healthcare forum will be moderated byBJASC Vice President and veteran journalistAnn Simmons. Panelists include labor law and employment attorney Angela Reddock, healthcare professional and medical correspondent “Nurse Alice” Benjamin and AARPCalifornia PresidentGeorge Davis.The moderated discussion will cover the basics of the new healthcare act followed by a question and answer period.

Panelist Angela Reddock is the Founding and Managing Partner of The Reddock Law Group, a boutique employment and labor law firm.Angela has been an employment and labor lawyer for nearly 18 years, and is a recognized authority on employment and labor law. She also provides mediation and arbitration services, working with employers and employees to assist in resolving workplace disputes.

Panelist Nurse Alice Benjamin is a nationally board certified Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 15 years experience in cardiovascular health.She is the first African American nurse elected to the American Nurses Association\California Board of Directors, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association as well as an AARP Affordable Care Act Education Advisor.

Panelist George Davis is California State President for the American Association of Retired People (AARP). Prior to his appointment, Davis was acting state president and served for two years on the state’s Executive Council. AARP has over 37 million members nationwide and 3 million in California.In his role as president, Mr. David leads the non-profit organization in advocating for the rights and issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning.

“As an association of Black journalists, we feel it is our responsibility to assist in disseminating information in our community on one of the most important issues of the day: healthcare.We have assembled a group of experts who can convey the components of the Affordable Care Act in simple, easy to understand terms.We’re inviting everyone to come out to learn about the health care act and its impact on families and individuals,” said BJASC President Xavier Higgs.